Is it true that grad schools like those who actually achieve something...?

Question

Other than just studying and getting good grades?

I know the grades are important, but isn't a student's accomplishment/recognition in their major very important too?

Answer 1

Graduate admissions are contingent upon:

Letters of recommendation
Writing sample
GPA (especially within the particular field of study/major)
Personal statement
Standardized Test scores (GRE, GMAT, LSAT, etc.)

Most graduate programs require a minimum of 3.0 or 3.5 GPA. There is certainly room within those parameters for a couple of Bs.

Honestly, I don't know exactly what you mean by "achievement / accomplishment / recognition" in the major. Have your professors given you some type of award for academic merit? That would surely count in your favor. Have you published a scholarly paper in an academic journal? That really looks good. Were you the president of the student organization for majors? That would not matter much to graduate admissions committees - anyone can get elected to a service position. Did you do some serious volunteer or paid work in a field directly related to your studies? That could be good, depending on precisely what you did. Actual research would matter more than filing, if you know what I mean. Community service? Well-roundedness? That counted in college admissions, but in grad school admissions, no one really cares. (Unless you're applying for a Master's in Social Work or something like that.) In the arts and sciences, grad school is about becoming a scholar and researcher. Unless your community service is directly related to your intended specialization, we really don't care.

When it comes to getting fellowships, the weightiest factor will probably be the standardized test scores and the GPA. This is because awards are usually voted upon at the university-wide level rather than the departmental level. Assistantships (Research assts. and Teaching assts.), which usually provide full tuition remission as well as a small living stipend, are usually awarded at the departmental level, but higher test scores and GPA will still make one candidate outrank another.

Bottom line: For admission at the graduate level, all the serious candidates are highly qualified, so it usually ends up being all about "fit" for that particular program. If you want to study Chaucer using a feminist/postmodern methodology (which information must be contained in your application statement, and which competency must be evident in your writing sample), and that department has no Chaucer scholars or feminist / postmodern theorists, then that program is not a good fit for you, and your chances for admission are nil.

I really hope this helped. Best wishes to you, and I hope you end up being well-funded at a great program.

Answer 2

Accomplishments and recognition in an undergraduate major can be very important factors in admissions to graduate school (or not). It all depends on the school and program you are applying to. Some programs value work experience after college, while others want people who are straight out of undergrad. Every program is different.

The best thing to do is to meet with some faculty and staff from the programs you are interested in applying to. They will give you some information on what they are looking for.

Answer 3

Grad schools, the same as undergrad, want to see students who have excelled in both school as well as in the community. Most programs want to see someone who is well balanced. Recognition or accomplishments within your major usually reflect activity within the major other than just getting good grades. If that is the case, then yes, they do like people who achieve something.

Answer 4

hi there not what it type of feels, in case you could deal with to get your GPA above 3.0 and score properly on the LSAT (a 100 and eighty ought to help a lot, yet receiving that score is a minimum of 40% luck - why not purpose for the mid-170s?), you'll really have a shot at distinct regulation colleges. although, aiming for a properly regulation college must be out of attain because of your GPA. After receiving your very last GPA and LSAT, you should, although, write an addendum that explains the tale in the back of your GPA. If it somewhat replaced into one undesirable 365 days observed with techniques from 3 exemplary ones, this is a few thing that you could talk about and clarify to regulation colleges. Write about why that first 365 days replaced into anomalous, and what you discovered from the journey. let us know the way you replaced so we've the tale in the back of the numbers on your transcript. in case you try this effectively, many regulation colleges will take that into interest. It probably gained't get you into Yale (although who's established with, with that college), yet you're taken aback with techniques from some colleges that are prepared to take a chance on someone who all started out rocky yet ended up on good floor. good luck!